(MISSISSIPPI) The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor has entered a new enforcement role through a formal partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, joining the federal 287(g) program as of September 30, 2025. State Auditor Shad White announced the agreement, which authorizes trained agents in his office to assist federal officers in identifying, processing, and detaining people who may be in violation of federal immigration laws.
The move extends the reach of federal immigration enforcement into a state auditing agency for the first time in Mississippi, marking a notable shift in how state-level investigators may interact with federal immigration cases during their financial and compliance work.
What the 287(g) partnership means for the auditor’s office
Under the 287(g) program, designated state and local agencies receive ICE training and limited authority to support federal enforcement. In Mississippi’s case:
- The Office of the State Auditor will place select agents through ICE training focused on immigration enforcement functions.
- Trained agents may assist federal processes when state audits or investigations uncover potential immigration violations.
- The partnership is intended to enhance cooperation between state auditors and federal immigration officers while the auditor’s office continues to focus on public funds, fraud prevention, and compliance.
This is the first time a Mississippi state auditor’s office has joined the program, so the agreement represents an operational shift in the state’s oversight landscape.
Effective date and scope
- Agreement effective: September 30, 2025
- Primary focus: coordination and practical use of ICE training during audits and investigations
- Authorized activities for trained agents:
- Identifying individuals who may be subject to federal immigration enforcement
- Processing steps consistent with federal procedures
- Assisting with detention when appropriate and under ICE direction
The announcement did not list a numerical target for agents to be trained or a detailed training timetable. The office emphasized that trained personnel will take on limited federal functions when needed, consistent with 287(g) principles of authority, training, and cooperation.
How this may change day-to-day work and interactions
State leaders say these partnerships improve information-sharing, but in practice they can change workflows.
- If an audit into spending, contracting, or program integrity leads to contact with individuals whose status needs review, trained agents can coordinate with ICE more directly than before.
- The office has stated cooperation will focus on immigration violations uncovered during state-led audits and investigations—the core mission environment of the auditor’s office.
- Examples: An audit of a public works project that involves contractor interviews could trigger federal processes if trained agents identify potential immigration violations.
Important: The partnership integrates ICE training and authority into typical audit settings, creating a clearer bridge between state investigative work and federal enforcement tools.
Community and employer impacts
Potential effects for different groups:
- Employers and contractors
- May face additional scrutiny during audits if workforce issues relating to immigration status arise.
- Should review internal compliance, ensure records are in order, and prepare staff for audit interactions.
- Families and community groups
- May be concerned about detentions or disruption if an audit interaction triggers federal enforcement.
- Clear communication and predictable procedures during encounters will be important to reduce fear and confusion.
- Attorneys and service providers
- Might see new types of client calls combining financial audit issues with immigration concerns.
- Early, cross-cutting legal advice (state and federal) will be helpful when audits touch on immigration status.
Role of ICE training
The office emphasized that ICE training is central to the 287(g) setup. Training serves to:
- Provide legal and procedural foundations for state personnel to assist with federal functions.
- Align state practices with federal standards so identification, processing, and detention steps follow federal requirements.
- Clarify when state agents should escalate a matter to ICE to avoid missteps.
The agency did not release a public syllabus, but described the training as specialized ICE instruction to ensure consistent practices during audits and investigations.
Key takeaways (summary)
- Partnership effective: September 30, 2025.
- Mississippi Office of the State Auditor is now a participant in the federal 287(g) program.
- Agents will receive ICE training and, if trained, can assist with identifying, processing, and detaining individuals under federal immigration law when those issues arise during state audits and investigations.
- This is the first time a Mississippi state auditor’s office has joined the program.
Practical guidance for residents and organizations
If you interact with the auditor’s office:
- Stay calm and informed during any interaction.
- Provide requested records and ask for clarification when needed.
- If immigration questions arise, consider seeking legal guidance early.
- Employers should:
- Review compliance and documentation practices.
- Prepare staff for audit responses and know who to contact internally.
These steps can reduce confusion and help people make informed choices when audits intersect with immigration issues.
Broader questions and public accountability
The decision to join 287(g) raises broader questions:
- Will other oversight bodies adopt similar roles?
- Will this speed resolution of cases that touch both financial integrity and immigration status?
- How will blending financial oversight with immigration enforcement affect cooperation during audits and community trust?
Supporters view this as an extension of accountability—ensuring laws are respected in public projects. Critics worry it could discourage cooperation or create fear among audit witnesses. The outcome will depend on careful implementation, steady communication, and consistent use of ICE training and federal procedures.
Where to find official information
For federal background on the program, see ICE’s resource on the 287(g) program: ICE — 287(g) Program Overview.
This MSD auditor announcement aligns with the program’s core features—ICE training, delegated authority in specific functions, and cooperation when local work intersects with federal immigration concerns.
Mississippians should expect an adjustment period as the office trains agents and integrates procedures. The emphasis on training and cooperation suggests a methodical rollout; whether it balances accountability, community trust, and lawful process will become clearer as the partnership is implemented.
This Article in a Nutshell
On September 30, 2025, the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor formally joined ICE’s 287(g) program, enabling select state auditor agents to receive ICE training and assist federal immigration enforcement when potential violations emerge during state audits and investigations. Announced by Auditor Shad White, the agreement is the first instance of the office participating in 287(g) and represents an operational shift toward integrating immigration enforcement capabilities into audit work. Authorized duties for trained agents include identifying individuals, following federal processing procedures, and assisting with detention under ICE direction. The office stresses limited, cooperative functions aligned with 287(g) principles. The partnership may affect employers, contractors, families, and legal service providers, who should review compliance practices and seek early legal advice when immigration issues arise during audits. Transparency, supervision, and careful implementation will determine the partnership’s impact on community trust and procedural safeguards.
